Last year, the White Sox used 31 different pitchers — including an inning from Rob Brantly. Thirteen of those 31 were starters. This total was seemingly inflated by trading away seven members of the pitching staff, yet the Sox only clocked in slightly above the average of 28 pitchers used by American League teams in 2017. Seattle using 40 pitchers would be beyond comprehension…if I hadn't watched two series of Mariners pitching in 2017.

The White Sox could probably cut down on the number of starters used by not trading two of them midseason (they likely won't trade more than…two, again), or by having fewer starters who are placeholders for the inevitable promotion of prospects. As it stands, this would be their preferred Opening Day five, in absolutely no particular order: